The Best Way to get a Machine-Readable or OSCAL SSP Package Fast

Digital compliance is the future. Learn the simple way to transition to OSCAL-based documentation quickly with fewer errors.

Becki Johnson
|
53
min read

In This Article

With RFC-0024, machine-readable documentation will be required for your ATO package. You may be wondering, “What’s the best way to transition to a digital ATO package?” 

The thought of the time, energy and money it may take to adjust otherwise functional documentation is hideous — we know. But, Paramify has helped many businesses make a fast, easy transition to OSCAL-based digital packages, and we can help your org too.

Here we’ll share the steps you can take to get your digital package created the fast, simple way. 

What is OSCAL Compliance Documentation? 

The Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL) is a standardized, machine-readable language developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). OSCAL aims to help organizations automate the documentation, assessment, and continuous monitoring of security controls across many frameworks. 

The best news: The goal of OSCAL is to modernize compliance and make security documentation more efficient, transparent, and easier to maintain.

Sounds good, but getting there sounds rough. So, how do you get to the end goal without going through a nightmare first?

Generate Your Machine-Readable SSP Fast

The process of manually digitizing your SSP into a machine-readable, OSCAL format will require a lot of time from skilled GRC pros and will likely produce a document full of human-error – even if you hire the best of the best.  

You can dodge these pitfalls when you automatically transition to an OSCAL SSP with Paramify. Our one-of-a-kind software can generate your new, digital SSP and ATO package in hours at a much lower cost. Your new documentation will also have far fewer errors and be easier to update and manage going forward.

Getting FedRAMPed can take many months, or years when it goes smoothly. Errors in your SSP at audit can waste months of your time. With an accurate, digital ATO package you can move through audit faster and get your ATO letter sooner.

You'll also spend less time managing ConMon and POA&Ms after approval.

Request a video demo of Paramify

How to Generate an OSCAL ATO Package

You can have your shiny new, machine-readable SSP in hours with our platform. 

Here's how it works:

  1. You provide the basic information from your SSP in a short (45-60 minute) meeting.
  2. By the end of the meeting you'll have the 1st draft of your documentation.
  3. If you get your team together you can knock out the rest of the documentation in a few hours. If your not in a rush you can spread the work out over a few days.

It sounds impossible to anyone who’s ever dealt with compliance documentation. But, we’ve done it a whole bunch, and it’s possible for your company – whether you’re large or small or have low impact data to FedRAMP High or Equivalent. 

See it for yourself – Sign up for a free, no risk demo

Check out a case study of a company that generated their new ATO package in 3.5 hours

Is Paramify a Good Fit to Create Your OSCAL ATO Package?

Only you can know if the automation process fits the budget and scope of your OSCAL digitization process. Below we’ll answer the most common questions we get so you can decide for yourself whether Paramify is the right choice for you. 

Does Automation Actually Save Time?

You’ve already spent an unholy amount of time creating an SSP. Changing it seems like it could take even more time and energy that you don’t have to spare. 

Fortunately, switching to an automated SSP only takes hours, up to several days

Using Paramify to automate their SSP has saved many organizations hundreds of painful hours recreating their SSPs. To make the transition we either:

  1. Recreate your ATO package completely with a quick intake process. This path will produce a higher quality, more accurate SSP.
  2. Have our software ingest and digitize your old SSP and ATO package.

Both options will digitize your SSP much faster and more accurately than you could do manually.

Schedule a free demo 

How Does Paramify Generate Compliance Documentation so Fast?

An SSP automated with Paramify is easier to generate because of our Risk Solutions platform. 

A Risk Solution is a security capability that maps to many requirements. Paramify keeps a library of vetted Risk Solutions that are audited and certified many times over. 

With Risk Solutions, your new SSP will also

  • Be easy to update. You can make any change or adjustment and automatically apply it everywhere it’s relevant, even across multiple packages. 
  • Be more accurate than ever before, saving you time in auditing and correcting mistakes. 
  • Enable better project management across your organization
→ Learn more details about how Risk solutions work  

How Much Does an OSCAL ATO Package Cost?

How much you’ll spend will depend on the type of data you need to protect and whether you need to self-host the software. 

Paramify costs between $8,000 - $30,000 per year for low impact data or $15,000-$23,000 for FedRAMP 20X . If your data is moderate to high level impact, it will cost from $30,000 - $60,000 per year. 

→ Learn more about Paramify’s pricing or request a free assessment for a customized quote for your ATO package. 

Does Paramify Only Create Machine-Readable Compliance Documentation?

There are pros and cons to both human-readable and digital, OSCAL-based compliance documentation. 

We believe you deserve the benefits of both, without spending more, so your automated ATO package(s) includes a human-readable version and an OSCAL-based digital version. 

How Do Paramify's ATOs Perform in Audit?

No one deserves the torture of being stuck in the endless audit, correction, audit, correction merry go round. More accurate documentation moves through audit faster and requires fewer adjustments. 

There’s no way to prevent normal, human errors with the traditional, manual documentation writing process – even with the best GRC team. Automated compliance documentation has dramatically fewer human-caused errors

We’re happy to report that 3PAOs and the PMO have been very pleased with automated documentation built by Paramify. 

Mike Parisi, Head of Client Acquisition at Schellman says: 

“Paramify has helped organizations, many of which are our clients, automate the creation of documentation packages . . .  faster and more accurately than I have ever seen in the marketplace to date.” 

Get Your OSCAL SSP & ATO Package

Now that you know how you can quickly transition to a digital ATO package, you can decide whether using Paramify is the best way forward for your business.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to contact@paramify.com – we’d love to chat. 

Want to see Paramify in action? Sign up for your free demo to see a preview of your own automated SSP or request to watch a demo video below:

Learn More:

Case Study: FedRAMP High in Under 4 Hours

How long does it take to get FedRAMP?

Why create a digital SSP?

Becki Johnson
Nov 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can compliance advisors or consultants work in Paramify with us, and does it help with managed-service models?

Absolutely. Paramify is used by many advisory partners, RPOs, and MSPs to guide, generate, and manage documentation, perform gap assessments, facilitate policy/procedure drafting, and oversee remediation activities. Advisors can fill out templates, manage controls, and generate client-ready documents.

We have privacy or compliance concerns, can we restrict what external reviewers can access?

Yes, you can assign role-based access controls in Paramify. Advisors or auditors can be given access only to certain programs, assessment and their related evidence.

Sensitive information can be withheld or redacted as needed, and only authorized reviewers see specific items.

Can auditors or advisory partners get direct access to our Paramify environment, or do we have to export everything for them?

Yes, Paramify allows external assessors/auditors and advisors to be invited as users, with controlled permission levels. They can review specific evidence, policies, SSPs, POA&Ms, or assessment modules without accessing broader company data. 

Documentation — such as Appendix A, SSPs, procedures, and POAMs — can also be exported in multiple standard formats (Word, Excel, OSCAL, EMASS, PDF) as needed.

Can I get matched with an Advisor based on my specific needs?

Yes. You can use the Get Matched feature on our website. We will review your specific compliance goals and connect you with the partner best suited for your industry and timeline.

How do Advisors use Paramify during a FedRAMP engagement?

Advisors use Paramify to conduct Gap Assessments, map controls, Automate SSPs, and manage POA&Ms.

Instead of spending months writing Word documents, the Advisor inputs the system architecture and control implementations into Paramify, which then generates the required NIST-formatted documentation.

Does Paramify compete with its Advisors?

No. Paramify is a software company. We do not offer independent audit or long-term consulting services. Our goal is to empower Advisors with better tools so they can serve more clients effectively.

What are the different partner tiers?

We feature Premier Partners prominently on our site. These are firms that have demonstrated a high level of proficiency with the Paramify platform and have successfully helped many clients through the authorization process using our tools.

How do I become an official Paramify Advisor Partner?

We look for firms with a proven track record in federal compliance. If you are interested in joining our network and leveraging our automation products, you can reach out via our contact page or schedule a demo to see how our tools fit into your workflow.

What is the benefit of using an Advisor who uses Paramify vs. one who doesn't?

Advisors using Paramify can accelerate your implementation and typically deliver documentation in a fraction of the time it takes without Paramify. This means:

  • Faster Implementation: An accelerated implementation roadmap keeps timelines predictable.
  • Lower Costs: Reduced manual consultant hours.
  • Higher Accuracy: Automation eliminates the "copy-paste" errors common in traditional SSPs.
  • Easier Maintenance: Your Advisor can help you manage POA&Ms and continuous monitoring within the platform.
Does working with an Advisor on this list guarantee FedRAMP or CMMC authorization?

No firm can "guarantee" authorization, as the final decision rests with the government authorizing body (e.g., the FedRAMP PMO or the DoD).

However, working with a Paramify Advisor significantly reduces the risk of documentation errors and ensures your package is built on a technically sound, automated foundation.

How do I choose the right Advisor for my organization?

Our Advisor page allows you to filter partners by their specific expertise, such as FedRAMP, CMMC, FISMA, or GovRAMP.

Why does Paramify partner with Advisors?

Paramify is an “Iron Man suit” for GRC experts. We provide automation technology to generate and manage compliance documentation (like SSPs snd POA&Ms) while Advisors provide the expert human oversight and implementation expertise.

Together, we offer a "best-of-both-worlds" solution: expert consulting powered by industry-leading automation and risk management planning.

What is the Paramify Advisor Partner Network?

The Paramify Advisor Partner Network is a curated group of cybersecurity and compliance firms — including CMMC Registered Practitioner Organizations (RPOs) and accredited 3PAOs — that use Paramify’s platform to deliver faster, more accurate compliance outcomes for their clients.

I already have an advisor or very capable GRC team. Why do I need Paramify?

Use Paramify's Risk Solution platform to automate ATO packages, improving cost efficiency, speed, and accuracy. This frees your team to focus on more valuable efforts like security posture enhancement and compliance improvements.